UKinSpain

1. Working in Spain
2. Be in receipt of a Spanish state pension or benefit
3. Previously having worked in Spain and claiming or claimed unemployment benefits
4. Be in receipt of a UK state pension
5. Be in receipt of a UK Sickness Benefit
6. Work as a Posted worker to Spain
7. As an Early Retiree (depending on recent National Insurance Contributions)
8. Dependent on one of the above
9. Registered as resident in Spain before 24.04.2012
10. Joining the Convenio Especial Scheme

Interested in knowing more? Visit the Healthcare Team´s website www.healthcareinspain.eu

funinthesun

I have just looked on the link. Is it true that anyone who is resident in Spain and has been so since before 24th Apr. 2012 is entitled to free healthcare in Spain even if they dont pay any social security payments. If so does this include the whole of Spain.

snikpoh

yes.

funinthesun

Does it include all those people who have worked here cash in hand and never paid a penny towards this country can now get free health care in Spain.

EMR

I would think that " resident " means LEGALLY RESIDENT not as the previous poster suggests .

mikelincs

The OP does say REGISTERED as resident, therefore must be with residencia.

lynnxa

and they also want to see proof of tax residency ...............

Fred James

There is no such thing as "residencia" any more. You just have to register on the foreigners register if you spend more that 90 days in Spain. This, however, does not make you a resident, it just gives you the right to stay in Spain for more than 90 days which is the maximum numbers of days that you can stay as a visitor.

To be considered a "proper" resident you have to be tax resident, as Lynnxa said, and living in Spain as your normal residence. The embassy does make this point.

funinthesun

So you do have to be working here then or paying taxes to get free medical care. I just thought it did not sound very fair on all the people who had been paying their way for years that others who didnt could get it all for free.

lynnxa

no...

you don't have to be working, nor do you have to have ever worked in Spain

you just have to have had all your paperwork in order before 24th April 2012 - that means registered as resident & submitting tax returns - all residents should submit a tax return, even if they have no income

lurchio

There's also the fact that in the case of early retirees, after April 1st. this year there will probably NOT be residual S1's to get cover on the Spanish NHS. The Convenio Especial also requires you to be have a RESIDENT for 12 months before you are eligible, so this UKinSpain release is not necessarily bang on the money IMHO.

Fun in the Sun, never mind the other stuff (even though it grates, I know, it does me too) , you need to get on with whats best for YOU as you find yourself NOW.

lynnxa

yes - point 7 is correct atm - but not for much longer

funinthesun

So for example if a woman who does not work in Spain has been here since before 2012 and splits up from her husband she could get free health care in Spain as long as she puts in a tax return each year. Also if her husband were to die she would also get free health care.

lynnxa

yes - as long as it was all being done BEFORE that date

logansdad

Just had a conversation with someone from the Overseas Healthcare Team. Apparently, although the S. 1 is being withdrawn it is highly unlikely that it will be by 31st March. Also, I was informed about a 'legislation letter' that is given to those moving to Spain (in Spanish and English) which may help to gain healthcare sooner than the Convenio Especial, although the monthly charge would still apply. Of course, the position for those of retirement age, or working/self-employed in Spain is different to that of early retirees and there is no change to the way they can access healthcare.

One other thing I did learn, is that when I reach retirement age, my younger partner will be able to access healthcare as one of my 'dependents' - apparently same throughout EU.

Hope that's of some use!